[modeleng] Re: Scale

Hi John

The usual scale for 3.1/2" gauge is 3/4" to the foot (i.e. 1:16) - unless 
perhaps the prototype is 2'-0" gauge, in which case 1.3/4" to the foot is 
appropriate.

I think the various gauges have their origins in Gauges "0" (1.1/4") and "1" 
(1.3/4"), laid down about 100 years ago by pioneers such as Basset-Lowke. 
In the days before pocket calculators, designs were scaled up or down by 
simple whole-number multiplication factors.  Thus "00" is half of "0", 
2.1/2" is twice "0", 3.1/2" is twice "1", and 5" is four times "0".

The one that baffles me is 7.1/4", which should either be 7" if it is meant 
to be four times "gauge 1", or 7.1/16" if it is meant to be one eighth of 
4'-8.1/2".  No-one has ever satisfactorily explained to me where the odd 
quarter of an inch came from!

Regards
Ron


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Walford" <jwme@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <modeleng@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2006 6:10 PM
Subject: [modeleng] Scale


> I've been in contact with someone who wants some model wagon wheels
> scale 1.75in to the foot. when I queried this, he said it was to
> match 3.5in gauge rolling stock. Does anyone know the origin of all
> the apparently odd, model railway gauges.
>
> MODEL ENGINEERING DISCUSSION LIST.
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